Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Black iPhone 5 Anodized Aluminum Susceptible to Scratching?

You have your new iPhone 5?

VINCENT: You know what some ****er did to it the other day?

LANCE: What?

VINCENT: ****in' keyed it.

LANCE: Oh man, that's ****ed up.

VINCENT: Tell me about it. I had the goddamn thing in storage three years. It's out five ****in' days -- five days, and some dickless piece of **** ****s with it.

LANCE: They should be ****in' killed. No trial, no jury, straight to execution.
 
law0915 said:
It seems like something's wiggling inside my iPhone 5. I turned it on and it works, but something is definitely moving if you shake the phone even just a little bit.
Click to expand...

Hold the silent and lock switches and shake, usually that's what makes that sound. Been true of all iPhones I've owned.
 
law0915 said:
It seems like something's wiggling inside my iPhone 5. I turned it on and it works, but something is definitely moving if you shake the phone even just a little bit.
Click to expand...

Would definitely return.
 
dotme said:
I picked up a black today - was very concerned about the scuffing. After playing with both the demo model in the store, and my own new device, I've concluded that while there MAY be some bad finishes out there, I don't believe this is going to be widespread. Here's why I believe this:

1) There's not a lot of chatter about scuffing on Twitter this morning.
2) I fingernailed the demo along the sharp edge. It remained totally intact.
3) I bought a Speck CandyShell case with the phone. Those aren't kind to edges when you put a phone in, or pull it out. I did both - installed the device in the case, then later removed it to put on a screen protector. Again, no visible damage to the phone.

I hope this helps some who are worried. I was too - but not so much any more.
Click to expand...


Appreciate the firsthand comments, thanks. But it will be helpful to report back after 3 or 4 weeks.
 
I'm afraid I may have to backtrack a bit on my previous post. I just received my black ip5 and upon close inspection discovered a nick in the chamfered edge. It just came out of the box. Not that one little nick is such a big deal, but if its any indication of the ease with which nicks appear, I won't be happy. I may have to eat my words and go with white. Here's a photo. The nick is just to the right of the sim drawer. It wouldn't be a big deal if it weren't such a stark contrast with the black.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    21 KB · Views: 20,262
JAT said:
So, you've noticed that metal and glass have different physical characteristics? Nice!
Click to expand...

what? you just made a circular argument when there was no argument.

i said simply that people expected that the half-@$$ed anodized aluminum would be as scratch resistant as the glass back. their expectations were met with reality.

if Apple truly cared, they would have actually done a robust process similar to what Ruger or S&W does for their firearm components. you might say that's over the top...but is it? Apple boasts about its manufacturing processes when they're inadequate. a Ruger P95 can be bought for $338...even cheaper than an unsubsidized iPhone. considering Apple's 70% profit margin on just a base model iPhone, they could easily afford to throw in an extra $10 of cost to make the anodized aluminum truly scratch resistant. but they didn't...to no surprise.

call me anal, but the iPhone 5 was a step back if what people are saying it's true...that it's scratching from the most insignificant of abrasions. i see a class action suit similar to that from the iPod Nano fiasco 6 years ago
 
law0915 said:
It seems like something's wiggling inside my iPhone 5. I turned it on and it works, but something is definitely moving if you shake the phone even just a little bit.
Click to expand...

It is known that the zoom lens actually does move if tapped. Could be that, but it could be something worse.
 
Tonewheel said:
Appreciate the firsthand comments, thanks. But it will be helpful to report back after 3 or 4 weeks.
Click to expand...

yeah exactly...after real world use these iPhone 5's will be trashed on the back...UNLESS of course...you buy a case



apple boasted that its iPhone 4/4S had scratch resistant front and rear glass, some complained it wasn't scratch resistant enough. well now apple has swung in the opposite direction and is finding itself with inadequate anodized finishes. even better.........

you can find less expensive (from a manufacturing process standpoint) finishes on a less expensive product - ie, a Ruger handgun
 
jgg204 said:
what? you just made a circular argument when there was no argument.

i said simply that people expected that the half-@$$ed anodized aluminum would be as scratch resistant as the glass back. their expectations were met with reality.

if Apple truly cared, they would have actually done a robust process similar to what Ruger or S&W does for their firearm components. you might say that's over the top...but is it? Apple boasts about its manufacturing processes when they're inadequate. a Ruger P95 can be bought for $338...even cheaper than an unsubsidized iPhone. considering Apple's 70% profit margin on just a base model iPhone, they could easily afford to throw in an extra $10 of cost to make the anodized aluminum truly scratch resistant. but they didn't...to no surprise.

call me anal, but the iPhone 5 was a step back if what people are saying it's true...that it's scratching from the most insignificant of abrasions. i see a class action suit similar to that from the iPod Nano fiasco 6 years ago
Click to expand...
And I think it's just a phone. And that people who don't understand even the most basic physics will have zero impact on my thinking. Unless I feel like laughing.
 
I just do cases .....

My black iPhone 5 is set for delivery today. It will be going into a case asap just like my iPhone 4, my iPhone 3, my motorola Razor etc. Oh and if I were getting a Galaxy S3, you guessed it, into a case asap.

My iPhone 4 is in a Speck case, plastic outer shell and an inner rubber shock absorbing layer. The outer plastic shell shows screeches and a couple of dings from the times it has been dropped. However if I remove the phone, and wipe the phone down with some screen cleaner it looks and functions like brand new.

If you toss your un-cased phone in your pocket with your keys and change and then drop it several times over a two year contract, it's going to look like you tossed your phone into your pocket with your keys and change and dropped it several times.

I rest my case. (pun intended) :cool:
 
I've got to admit, I changed my mind in line about buying a black unit after seeing this article. I had a bit of a concern since I also use anodized cookware and have run into this issue. Granted, these are totally different use cases.
 
JAT said:
And that people who don't understand even the most basic physics will have zero impact on my thinking. Unless I feel like laughing.
Click to expand...

basic physics? there is no "physics" involved...this is solely a manufacturing process issue (and since the process was designed by Apple according to their promo video...a manufacturing process design issue). if you want to go back to basics, the root cause falls back to chemistry.

JAT said:
And I think it's just a phone
Click to expand...


yeah it may be just a phone, but it's a $650 phone. who cares what it is to tell ya the truth. it could be a $650 light switch for all i care. to charge that price and half-ass the anodized process is pathetic. 69.23079% profit margin is plenty to address the problem, which involves increasing the cost merely cents on the dollar. you have to multiply that by 10 for the manufacturing cost rule of thumb as it translates to prices. since apple wouldn't raise the price, it would negligibly eat into the profit margin by .1357% .

seems like a small price to pay to eliminate the bad press. heck, they could include in their promos that it's an "aircraft grade" anodized aluminum process. of course they couldn't say "firearms grade" because people who would be up in arms for that language (no pun intended)
 
It's shameful that macrumors is not only condoning the actions of this dirtbag vandal, but rewarding him by showcasing his crime on the front page! I hope this worthless reprobate is caught and forced to pay full price for the phone. Moron.
 
Oh my gosh, I'm so amaze by the amount of you guys just pushing this aside like it's not a big deal.
 
Djavaman said:
My black iPhone 5 is set for delivery today. It will be going into a case asap just like my iPhone 4, my iPhone 3, my motorola Razor etc. Oh and if I were getting a Galaxy S3, you guessed it, into a case asap.

My iPhone 4 is in a Speck case, plastic outer shell and an inner rubber shock absorbing layer. The outer plastic shell shows screeches and a couple of dings from the times it has been dropped. However if I remove the phone, and wipe the phone down with some screen cleaner it looks and functions like brand new.

If you toss your un-cased phone in your pocket with your keys and change and then drop it several times over a two year contract, it's going to look like you tossed your phone into your pocket with your keys and change and dropped it several times.

I rest my case. (pun intended) :cool:
Click to expand...


Ha. Oh what a beautiful design. Looks wonderful inside big clunk plastic case. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

:rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
jgg204 said:
basic physics? there is no "physics" involved...this is solely a manufacturing process issue (and since the process was designed by Apple according to their promo video...a manufacturing process design issue). if you want to go back to basics, the root cause falls back to chemistry.
Click to expand...
Semantics. Physical world. If you want to get into an argument over which university department gets to use which words, argue with them.

And my point was about people who "don't understand", not so much "basic physics".

----------
timtacs said:
Oh my gosh, I'm so amaze by the amount of you guys just pushing this aside like it's not a big deal.
Click to expand...
It's not to me. Every phone I've had is/was susceptible to scratches. Esp the painted ones. Those last as "pristine" for a week, on average. You should see what my kids did to my car with their bikes.
 
Clearplex Shield!

Just got the Clearplex shield and it rocks! Covers front and back of my new iPhone 5, great product! Highly recommend it. Keep touch glass feel and it looks great. For sure not going to buy Zagg anymore after having tried Clearplex. Sorry, but once you go clear you can't go back to sticky stuff! Will buy one for my iPad too!

http://clearplex.myshopify.com/coll...een-protector-case-cover-protector-film-guard

iPhone 5 is now safe.
 
Mine came damaged as well, nicked on top and sides,going back to apple store this afternoon. :mad:
Bad quality control.
 
Hey, I just bought you,
And this is crazy,
But here's my credit card,
To buy a case, maybe?


I have never used a case on any of my iPhones ( 1st gen and iP4 ) and never really had a problem. Im sure I will still like it!
 
VenusianSky said:
The original was prone to those same scratches right out of the box. Now, iPhones coming pre-scratched out of the box is a different story.
Click to expand...

The original iPhone may have been prone to also scratch but most scratches didn't show. I have my 5+ year-old iPhone right in front of me and it looks fine BTW.

And like you said, there was no issue with them being scratched right out of the box.



Michael
 
lukefinch said:
So it will scratch when someone tries to scratch it? Seriously?

I have two pockets for a reason. iPhone in one, everything else in the other.
Click to expand...

Eh? Rather than, "I've got two pockets cos that's how my pants were made"?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back